Is there a better way to spend the weekend than watching the NFL Combine? Probably, but it is still pretty good. It is football, football is always good. It is combining college and the pros, which is great for someone like me who loves both. It gives you a chance to watch your favorite players from your school compete against others at their position. Just today, I have gotten to see Syracuse running back Delone Carter lift, run and catch in front of NFL Scouts. He has done pretty well, and should be picked in the 3rd or 4th round.
We also get to see the linemen shine for once. Syracuse center Ryan Bartholomew did so well a the combine that they are saying he could be taken in the 2nd round (possibly to the team that needs a center and loves workout warriors- The Oakland Raiders). Monster offensive tackle Nate Solder (6'8, 319) of Colorado also helped out his stock, possibly moving into the Top 10. He had the fastest 40-yard time for tackles, and more importantly had the fasted 10-yard split and longest broad jump, demonstrating the explosiveness needed to get off the line and block a guy like Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers or Justin Tuck.
There are, of course, the QBs and WRs to talk about as well. Julio Jones of Alabama wowed every scout with his impressive catching, speed and jumping today. Everyone still has AJ Green as their #1 wideout and possibly a top 5 pick, but Julio Jones might get into the top 10 himself. If not, you can bet he won't get beyond #14 and the St. Louis Rams, who would love to pair him with their rookie of the year Sam Bradford.
Cam Newton put up great measurable numbers in Indianapolis, but some say his throwing was a bit questionable. He overthrew a bunch, and only completed 11 or 21 throws. We will be able to tell more about him at his pro day in March. More experienced QBs, such as Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet, dazzled scouts with thier accuracy and completion percentages. Nevada's Colin Kaepernick put up an impressive 40 time, and has probably solidified his stock as a top 50 pick.
One final note- Stephen Paea, a defensive tackle from Oregon State, beat the bench press record. By 4. It was amazing. In under a minute, he lifted 225 pounds 49 times. For those that did the math, that is just over 5 tons in a minute. Absurd. He is also a solid player as well. I wouldn't mind seeing him line up at the nose tackle for the Burgundy and Gold.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
An End to the Melo-Drama?
So it finally happened. Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks for a bunch of pieces that won't help the Nuggets at all. So congrats to him and the Knicks fans (and to his wife LaLa, especially) for getting what you wanted. Now, here is why the Knicks made a mistake- They can't afford that 3rd superstar. Not happening. Not without a major discount from Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Dwight Howard. Don't believe me? ESPN Columnist Chad Ford wrote a great article about it. I present it to you now:
Can Knicks add a third star in 2012?
The New York Knicks gutted their roster on Monday evening to acquire Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. ESPN.com is reporting that, according to sources, the Knicks will send Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' first-round draft pick in 2014 or later, the Warriors' 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors' 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash to Denver for Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman. The Knicks will also send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to the Timberwolves in exchange for Corey Brewer as part of the deal.
Knicks fans are understandably excited. New York has been desperate for a star player for years and now, after being rejected by LeBron James this summer, it has two legit All-Stars in Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.
But will the duo be enough to make the Knicks a contender in the East?
One Eastern Conference GM is skeptical. "They have two very good scorers. Billups will help them as well. But after those three, the Knicks are very, very thin, especially up front," he said. "They won't match up well with the Celtics, Magic, Bulls or Hawks. The Heat don't have much of a frontcourt either, but their big three is better than the Knicks'.
"I'm not sure this move puts [New York] much higher than a fifth or sixth seed in the East this season or the next. After next season, I don't think the Knicks have enough cap room or assets to add another major player. I think they're stuck."
Given the Knicks' woes over the past few seasons, a playoff appearance -- any playoff appearance -- will be a cause for celebration. But after the excitement wears off, the bigger question is, can the Knicks add another piece to make them serious title contenders?
The common theory has the Knicks making a play for Chris Paul, Deron Williams or even Dwight Howard in the summer of 2012. It's a nice dream. And if you believe the rumors, it sounds like Paul and Williams would both like to join Melo and Stoudemire in Gotham.
But there's one problem: Under every scenario I could come up with, the Knicks are unlikely to have the money to make a competitive offer to a major free agent next summer or possess the assets to trade for him beforehand.
First, we have to assume that, until we hear otherwise, Anthony will sign a max extension with New York. (If Knicks general manger Donnie Walsh can talk him into taking considerably less, then this picture begins to change.)
The Knicks are expected to have four players -- Anthony (at a little more than $20 million), Stoudemire (at a little less than $20 million), Balkman ($1.7 million) and Toney Douglas ($2 million) -- under contract in the 2012 offseason, adding up to about $44 million in payroll. And that does not include Landry Fields, who will be a restricted free agent that summer, or the Knicks' 2011 first-round draft pick. If the Knicks keep and commit to both, the payroll will be several million higher. If not, the Knicks will also have to account for another eight minimum cap holds (assuming that the new salary cap rules require cap holds, which is likely) to reach the required 12-man roster. That would raise their projected cap another $2.5 million, putting them around $46.5 million.
Assuming the salary cap in 2012 is the same that it is this season ($58 million), the Knicks would be looking at $11.5 million in cap space in 2012. However, no one thinks the cap will stay the same. With the owners asking for major concessions from the players in the new collective bargaining session, the cap will most likely be considerably lower.
Even if the NBA lowers the maximum salary that players like Paul, Williams or Howard can make in 2012 or if it rolls back salaries on existing contracts, it's highly unlikely the Knicks will have the cap space to pay them anything close to the max. Virtually any lowering of salaries is likely to be proportional to the drop in the cap. So, at best, the Knicks will have $11.5 million in cap space. At worst, it could be considerably less.
That's a pretty big obstacle, but not an impossible one to overcome. There are other ways of acquiring elite talent.
The Knicks could also try to do what they did with Anthony and make a trade at next season's trade deadline for one of the elite free agents. But the problem with that idea is that they have even less to work with than they did this season. New York won't have a first-round pick they can offer until, at best, 2016 (league rules prohibit teams from trading picks in consecutive years). So what could the Knicks offer a team like the Hornets, Jazz or Magic?
Billups' expiring contract would be a possible lure. So would be Fields', if he continues to develop. But after that, the Knicks' cupboard is pretty bare now that they've used their best assets to acquire Anthony. Some have suggested that the Knicks could start stockpiling draft picks by essentially buying them from teams who need to save money. But typically those picks are in the late first round and aren't especially attractive to other teams.
So while fans may be celebrating the arrival of another star to the Big Apple, luring one more and building a contender will be much tougher. In the short term, the team has achieved respectability, added two All-Star talents and even created some sizzle. But in the long term, the team still lacks the critical assets to be a true title contender.
If Knicks fans are happy with 45-to-50 wins per season and a likely first-round exit from the playoffs, then this was a winning move. But for all the Knicks fans who say that nothing but a title contender will make them happy, this deal may have actually put their team further from their goal than they think.
Can Knicks add a third star in 2012?
The New York Knicks gutted their roster on Monday evening to acquire Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. ESPN.com is reporting that, according to sources, the Knicks will send Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' first-round draft pick in 2014 or later, the Warriors' 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors' 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash to Denver for Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman. The Knicks will also send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to the Timberwolves in exchange for Corey Brewer as part of the deal.
Knicks fans are understandably excited. New York has been desperate for a star player for years and now, after being rejected by LeBron James this summer, it has two legit All-Stars in Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.
But will the duo be enough to make the Knicks a contender in the East?
One Eastern Conference GM is skeptical. "They have two very good scorers. Billups will help them as well. But after those three, the Knicks are very, very thin, especially up front," he said. "They won't match up well with the Celtics, Magic, Bulls or Hawks. The Heat don't have much of a frontcourt either, but their big three is better than the Knicks'.
"I'm not sure this move puts [New York] much higher than a fifth or sixth seed in the East this season or the next. After next season, I don't think the Knicks have enough cap room or assets to add another major player. I think they're stuck."
Given the Knicks' woes over the past few seasons, a playoff appearance -- any playoff appearance -- will be a cause for celebration. But after the excitement wears off, the bigger question is, can the Knicks add another piece to make them serious title contenders?
The common theory has the Knicks making a play for Chris Paul, Deron Williams or even Dwight Howard in the summer of 2012. It's a nice dream. And if you believe the rumors, it sounds like Paul and Williams would both like to join Melo and Stoudemire in Gotham.
But there's one problem: Under every scenario I could come up with, the Knicks are unlikely to have the money to make a competitive offer to a major free agent next summer or possess the assets to trade for him beforehand.
First, we have to assume that, until we hear otherwise, Anthony will sign a max extension with New York. (If Knicks general manger Donnie Walsh can talk him into taking considerably less, then this picture begins to change.)
The Knicks are expected to have four players -- Anthony (at a little more than $20 million), Stoudemire (at a little less than $20 million), Balkman ($1.7 million) and Toney Douglas ($2 million) -- under contract in the 2012 offseason, adding up to about $44 million in payroll. And that does not include Landry Fields, who will be a restricted free agent that summer, or the Knicks' 2011 first-round draft pick. If the Knicks keep and commit to both, the payroll will be several million higher. If not, the Knicks will also have to account for another eight minimum cap holds (assuming that the new salary cap rules require cap holds, which is likely) to reach the required 12-man roster. That would raise their projected cap another $2.5 million, putting them around $46.5 million.
Assuming the salary cap in 2012 is the same that it is this season ($58 million), the Knicks would be looking at $11.5 million in cap space in 2012. However, no one thinks the cap will stay the same. With the owners asking for major concessions from the players in the new collective bargaining session, the cap will most likely be considerably lower.
Even if the NBA lowers the maximum salary that players like Paul, Williams or Howard can make in 2012 or if it rolls back salaries on existing contracts, it's highly unlikely the Knicks will have the cap space to pay them anything close to the max. Virtually any lowering of salaries is likely to be proportional to the drop in the cap. So, at best, the Knicks will have $11.5 million in cap space. At worst, it could be considerably less.
That's a pretty big obstacle, but not an impossible one to overcome. There are other ways of acquiring elite talent.
The Knicks could also try to do what they did with Anthony and make a trade at next season's trade deadline for one of the elite free agents. But the problem with that idea is that they have even less to work with than they did this season. New York won't have a first-round pick they can offer until, at best, 2016 (league rules prohibit teams from trading picks in consecutive years). So what could the Knicks offer a team like the Hornets, Jazz or Magic?
Billups' expiring contract would be a possible lure. So would be Fields', if he continues to develop. But after that, the Knicks' cupboard is pretty bare now that they've used their best assets to acquire Anthony. Some have suggested that the Knicks could start stockpiling draft picks by essentially buying them from teams who need to save money. But typically those picks are in the late first round and aren't especially attractive to other teams.
So while fans may be celebrating the arrival of another star to the Big Apple, luring one more and building a contender will be much tougher. In the short term, the team has achieved respectability, added two All-Star talents and even created some sizzle. But in the long term, the team still lacks the critical assets to be a true title contender.
If Knicks fans are happy with 45-to-50 wins per season and a likely first-round exit from the playoffs, then this was a winning move. But for all the Knicks fans who say that nothing but a title contender will make them happy, this deal may have actually put their team further from their goal than they think.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Hmm... Football Is Over...
This is a weird time in the lives of a sports fan. Football has officially ended for the season (and the foreseeable future with a pending lockout), and other than the draft one cannot get their pigskin fix. The Packers are World Champions (like I said before the season. Point for me), but no free agents can be signed or trades made until there is a new CBA. So we are stuck without football news. Here are a few ways to pass the time-
1. NCAA Basketball: The regular season is winding down, which means it is almost conference tournament time. The glory of the Big East Tournament from Madison Square Garden. The one-bid conferences fighting for that automatic spot. The sleeper in the Big XII or SEC trying to make one last effort to impress the tournament. It is great. Plus, the NCAAs come right after. (Note, due to lack of competitive nature, the ACC will now officially change its name to the All Carolina Conference during basketball season.) It is the Big East tournament, btw, that brought us the greatest basketball game of all time-
2. Spring Training: Hope springs eternal... unless you are a Pirates fan, but hey, for the next month they aren't in last place. Tune into MLB Network and ESPN2 during the day and catch some great games from the Cactus and Grapefruit league. See how your new favorite player looks in your team's uniform (Werth and LaRoche, this means you). See if your team's rotation is all it is cracked up to be (Note: ignore comment if you are a Phillies fan. 4 #1 starters is not fair). And just keep your eye on the calender, because March 31st and Opening Day are rapidly approaching. Just see at how beautiful Space Coast Stadium looks.
3. The NHL: Hockey is like football, only faster, with sticks, on ice... but there is just as much violence! Maybe even more if you catch an Islanders-Penguins game. They don't even throw you out for punching a guy. How amazing is that? Even if your team isn't as good as you thought they should be (sigh...), it is still a face-paced thrill ride of a game.
4. See a movie: Ok, so, not sports-related. But there are a bunch of good films out. I have seen 4 of the 10 Oscar nominees for Best Picture, and they are all amazing. Into visual effects? See Inception. Need a thriller? Black Swan. Maybe a western? True Grit. What about a movie with some amazing dialogue relevant to today's society? Sounds like The Social Network to me. I hear The Kings Speech is excellent, Toy Story 3 will make you weep, and Christian Bale is a shoe-in for the Oscar thanks to The Fighter. Go! See a film!
5. The NFL Draft Preps: Still got pigskin on the mind, huh? Well, not to worry. If your cable provider has the NFL Network, you can watch the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February. See the stars of tomorrow work out without pads on, all while being poked, prodded and questioned by scouts. Who will impress the most? Who will see their stock rise or fall? Who will run a 4.2 40-yard dash? All these questions will be answered in Indianapolis.
1. NCAA Basketball: The regular season is winding down, which means it is almost conference tournament time. The glory of the Big East Tournament from Madison Square Garden. The one-bid conferences fighting for that automatic spot. The sleeper in the Big XII or SEC trying to make one last effort to impress the tournament. It is great. Plus, the NCAAs come right after. (Note, due to lack of competitive nature, the ACC will now officially change its name to the All Carolina Conference during basketball season.) It is the Big East tournament, btw, that brought us the greatest basketball game of all time-
2. Spring Training: Hope springs eternal... unless you are a Pirates fan, but hey, for the next month they aren't in last place. Tune into MLB Network and ESPN2 during the day and catch some great games from the Cactus and Grapefruit league. See how your new favorite player looks in your team's uniform (Werth and LaRoche, this means you). See if your team's rotation is all it is cracked up to be (Note: ignore comment if you are a Phillies fan. 4 #1 starters is not fair). And just keep your eye on the calender, because March 31st and Opening Day are rapidly approaching. Just see at how beautiful Space Coast Stadium looks.
3. The NHL: Hockey is like football, only faster, with sticks, on ice... but there is just as much violence! Maybe even more if you catch an Islanders-Penguins game. They don't even throw you out for punching a guy. How amazing is that? Even if your team isn't as good as you thought they should be (sigh...), it is still a face-paced thrill ride of a game.
4. See a movie: Ok, so, not sports-related. But there are a bunch of good films out. I have seen 4 of the 10 Oscar nominees for Best Picture, and they are all amazing. Into visual effects? See Inception. Need a thriller? Black Swan. Maybe a western? True Grit. What about a movie with some amazing dialogue relevant to today's society? Sounds like The Social Network to me. I hear The Kings Speech is excellent, Toy Story 3 will make you weep, and Christian Bale is a shoe-in for the Oscar thanks to The Fighter. Go! See a film!
5. The NFL Draft Preps: Still got pigskin on the mind, huh? Well, not to worry. If your cable provider has the NFL Network, you can watch the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February. See the stars of tomorrow work out without pads on, all while being poked, prodded and questioned by scouts. Who will impress the most? Who will see their stock rise or fall? Who will run a 4.2 40-yard dash? All these questions will be answered in Indianapolis.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
SUPER BOWL PICK!!!
First, congrats to the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame class- Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders and Shannon Sharpe. All very deserving.
Now, my pick for Super Bowl XLV:
Drumroll please....
The Green Bay Packers!
This kind of goes against my better judgment. There is no reason to pick against the Steelers. Big Ben is one of the most clutch qbs in the league. Mike Tomlin is a great coach. They have an amazing D and playmakers on offense. So, why am I picking the Pack to win?
Well, let's first discuss the (somewhat silly) reasons not to like Pittsburgh, both in this game and in general:
1. Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers' All-Pro center, is not playing. There could be at least one messed up snap, resulting in a turnover. It also means BJ Raji is going up against a backup, which isn't good for Big Ben.
2. Aaron Rodgers, over the past 3 seasons, is the best QB in games played inside. The roof will be closed in Dallas. Beware.
3. Sidney Crosby. Yes, I hate him and the Penguins so much that their existence carries over to a dislike for the Steelers (or at least the city of Pittsburgh).
4. "Black and Yellow". It is a terrible, terrible rap song, and is an ode to Pittsburgh, whose teams are all Black and Yellow. I want them to lose just so I don't have to hear that song any more.
5. Snoop Dogg. He was born in California. Raised in California. Became famous in California. Reps the West Coast. Used to wear Raider gear in videos... And then the Steelers get good and he claims he has always been a Steelers fan. I call BS. He also raps on the remix of Black and Yellow, which makes me hate him more.
6. The Steelers beat the Ravens, my AFC Champion pick.
And of course, there are silly reasons to pick the Packers as well:
1. I picked the Packers to go to the Super Bowl before the season. I need to stick with them to win it.
2. Wouldn't it be great if Aaron Rodgers won a Super Bowl and erased his most famous football moment, waiting in the green room of the NFL Draft as over 20 teams passed on him? I think it would be very special.
3. Charles Woodson and Donald Driver. Vets who I have always enjoyed watching. I would love it if they got rings.
4. Brett Favre. I want to rub it in his face that the team doesn't need him. I would love it if the Packers won with Rodgers so that he would match the number of rings Favre has. I would then root for him to win another, so that Favre is 3rd on the list of Packers QBs with Super Bowl victories. Had he walked away when he should have, we wouldn't resent him like this. But he didn't, so we do.
5. Hawk n' Dove. The bar I go to every Friday happens to be a Packers bar. My dear friend Colin is bar-tending there today. I am afraid that if the Packers lose, the fans might kill him. If they win, they will give him a very big tip. Side note- Hawk n Dove is two doors down from The Pour House, the biggest Steelers bar in DC. Very good chance there is a fight on Pennsylvania Avenue after. Glad I won't be there.
So, there you have it. The Green Bay Packers are my pick to win the Super Bowl. I think that Aaron Rodgers will be the MVP, and that the Packers will win 24-21.
Then again, I could be wrong.
Now, my pick for Super Bowl XLV:
Drumroll please....
The Green Bay Packers!
This kind of goes against my better judgment. There is no reason to pick against the Steelers. Big Ben is one of the most clutch qbs in the league. Mike Tomlin is a great coach. They have an amazing D and playmakers on offense. So, why am I picking the Pack to win?
Well, let's first discuss the (somewhat silly) reasons not to like Pittsburgh, both in this game and in general:
1. Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers' All-Pro center, is not playing. There could be at least one messed up snap, resulting in a turnover. It also means BJ Raji is going up against a backup, which isn't good for Big Ben.
2. Aaron Rodgers, over the past 3 seasons, is the best QB in games played inside. The roof will be closed in Dallas. Beware.
3. Sidney Crosby. Yes, I hate him and the Penguins so much that their existence carries over to a dislike for the Steelers (or at least the city of Pittsburgh).
4. "Black and Yellow". It is a terrible, terrible rap song, and is an ode to Pittsburgh, whose teams are all Black and Yellow. I want them to lose just so I don't have to hear that song any more.
5. Snoop Dogg. He was born in California. Raised in California. Became famous in California. Reps the West Coast. Used to wear Raider gear in videos... And then the Steelers get good and he claims he has always been a Steelers fan. I call BS. He also raps on the remix of Black and Yellow, which makes me hate him more.
6. The Steelers beat the Ravens, my AFC Champion pick.
And of course, there are silly reasons to pick the Packers as well:
1. I picked the Packers to go to the Super Bowl before the season. I need to stick with them to win it.
2. Wouldn't it be great if Aaron Rodgers won a Super Bowl and erased his most famous football moment, waiting in the green room of the NFL Draft as over 20 teams passed on him? I think it would be very special.
3. Charles Woodson and Donald Driver. Vets who I have always enjoyed watching. I would love it if they got rings.
4. Brett Favre. I want to rub it in his face that the team doesn't need him. I would love it if the Packers won with Rodgers so that he would match the number of rings Favre has. I would then root for him to win another, so that Favre is 3rd on the list of Packers QBs with Super Bowl victories. Had he walked away when he should have, we wouldn't resent him like this. But he didn't, so we do.
5. Hawk n' Dove. The bar I go to every Friday happens to be a Packers bar. My dear friend Colin is bar-tending there today. I am afraid that if the Packers lose, the fans might kill him. If they win, they will give him a very big tip. Side note- Hawk n Dove is two doors down from The Pour House, the biggest Steelers bar in DC. Very good chance there is a fight on Pennsylvania Avenue after. Glad I won't be there.
So, there you have it. The Green Bay Packers are my pick to win the Super Bowl. I think that Aaron Rodgers will be the MVP, and that the Packers will win 24-21.
Then again, I could be wrong.
Friday, February 4, 2011
HOF Predictions
Before the big game on Sunday, we have Hall of Fame Saturday. Tomorrow, the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters will gather in Dallas and decide who is getting in this year. Here is a list of the finalists-
Jerome Bettis- RB
Tim Brown- WR
Cris Carter- WR
Dermontti Dawson- C
Richard Dent- DE
Chris Doleman- DE
Marshall Faulk- RB
Charles Haley- DE
Chris Hanburger- LB
Cortez Kennedy- DT
Curtis Martin- RB
Andre Reed- WR
Les Richter- LB
Willie Roaf OT
Ed Sabol- Founder NFL Films
Deion Sanders CB/KR
Shannon Sharpe TE
The maximum size for a class is 7- 5 modern candidates and 2 Senior Committee candidates (Hanburger and Richter). Here is my 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class-
- Cris Carter, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins
- Marshall Faulk, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams
- Chris Hanburger, Linebacker, Washington Redskins
- Les Richter, Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams
- Ed Sabol, Founder/President/Chairman of NFL Films
- Willie Roaf, OT, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs
- Deion Sanders, Cornerback/Kick Returner, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens
Faulk and Primetime are shoe-ins. Hangurger and Richter are the Senior selections, who almost always get in out of respect to the Senior Committee. That leaves 3 spots. Ed Sabol made NFL Films what it is today. His contribution to preserving the history of football cannot be overstated. He is in. 2 left. Willie Roaf is an all-decade player... in 2 different decades. First team 1990s, 2nd team 2000s. He should be a first ballot HOFer. And that leaves 1.
Shannon Sharpe is one of the best tight ends of all time. Andre Reed, Cris Carter and Tim Brown are three of the best wide receivers of all time. Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin are two of the best running backs of all time. There are a bunch of deserving defensive players left. I think that the voters will put in a WR because they know of the log-jam at the position. I think that the voters will elect Carter, though I would put in Tim Brown if I had my vote. Carter has the platform of ESPN to campaign, and has all of his coworkers at that network pushing for his induction. Apologies to Andre Reed and all those Bills fans out there. He won't get in until Brown and Carter are in. The numbers aren't there. Enjoy the vote, and congrats to the men who will get in tomorrow.
Jerome Bettis- RB
Tim Brown- WR
Cris Carter- WR
Dermontti Dawson- C
Richard Dent- DE
Chris Doleman- DE
Marshall Faulk- RB
Charles Haley- DE
Chris Hanburger- LB
Cortez Kennedy- DT
Curtis Martin- RB
Andre Reed- WR
Les Richter- LB
Willie Roaf OT
Ed Sabol- Founder NFL Films
Deion Sanders CB/KR
Shannon Sharpe TE
The maximum size for a class is 7- 5 modern candidates and 2 Senior Committee candidates (Hanburger and Richter). Here is my 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class-
- Cris Carter, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins
- Marshall Faulk, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams
- Chris Hanburger, Linebacker, Washington Redskins
- Les Richter, Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams
- Ed Sabol, Founder/President/Chairman of NFL Films
- Willie Roaf, OT, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs
- Deion Sanders, Cornerback/Kick Returner, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens
Faulk and Primetime are shoe-ins. Hangurger and Richter are the Senior selections, who almost always get in out of respect to the Senior Committee. That leaves 3 spots. Ed Sabol made NFL Films what it is today. His contribution to preserving the history of football cannot be overstated. He is in. 2 left. Willie Roaf is an all-decade player... in 2 different decades. First team 1990s, 2nd team 2000s. He should be a first ballot HOFer. And that leaves 1.
Shannon Sharpe is one of the best tight ends of all time. Andre Reed, Cris Carter and Tim Brown are three of the best wide receivers of all time. Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin are two of the best running backs of all time. There are a bunch of deserving defensive players left. I think that the voters will put in a WR because they know of the log-jam at the position. I think that the voters will elect Carter, though I would put in Tim Brown if I had my vote. Carter has the platform of ESPN to campaign, and has all of his coworkers at that network pushing for his induction. Apologies to Andre Reed and all those Bills fans out there. He won't get in until Brown and Carter are in. The numbers aren't there. Enjoy the vote, and congrats to the men who will get in tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Super Bowl Halftime Shows
During halftime of this year's Super Bowl, we will all get the honor of listening to the Black Eyed Peas do some weird dance/hip hop number that will be instantly forgotten once the second half starts. So, in honor of this, I thought I would share my Top 3 Super Bowl Halftime Shows. They all came from real musicians, and involved no wardrobe malfunctions, no scandal, and no pop collaborations of 18 different artists. Just great music.
#3- Prince, Super Bowl LXI, 2007
"Purple Rain" in the rain. Need I say more?
#2- Sir Paul McCartney, Super Bowl XXXIX, 2005
Quite possibly the best performer of all time, with some of the best songs of all time, and the Hey Jude ending was classic (see below). I know I was singing along the entire performance.
#1- U2, Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002
The first Super Bowl following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. The performance was amazing, and adding too it with the tribute to all those that lost their lives puts this easily as the greatest and most meaningful Super Bowl halftime show ever. I only wish that the love Bono called for actually existed in this country. How soon after this moment of unity, with the band playing on a heart-shaped stage and pleading for love in honor of those we lost, did we return to petty squabbling, infighting and political disunion? It should not take a national tragedy for us to respect, coexist with and love each other, but it seems those are the only times anyone cares about their fellow man. A terrorist attack, an attempted political assassination, a mass murder for no reason. It is only in the brief wake of these heinous moments that we see the best of America, and a few guys from Ireland helped show that unity on an international stage.
Top that, Black Eyed Peas.
#3- Prince, Super Bowl LXI, 2007
"Purple Rain" in the rain. Need I say more?
#2- Sir Paul McCartney, Super Bowl XXXIX, 2005
Quite possibly the best performer of all time, with some of the best songs of all time, and the Hey Jude ending was classic (see below). I know I was singing along the entire performance.
#1- U2, Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002
The first Super Bowl following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. The performance was amazing, and adding too it with the tribute to all those that lost their lives puts this easily as the greatest and most meaningful Super Bowl halftime show ever. I only wish that the love Bono called for actually existed in this country. How soon after this moment of unity, with the band playing on a heart-shaped stage and pleading for love in honor of those we lost, did we return to petty squabbling, infighting and political disunion? It should not take a national tragedy for us to respect, coexist with and love each other, but it seems those are the only times anyone cares about their fellow man. A terrorist attack, an attempted political assassination, a mass murder for no reason. It is only in the brief wake of these heinous moments that we see the best of America, and a few guys from Ireland helped show that unity on an international stage.
Top that, Black Eyed Peas.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Super Bowl Prop Bets by ESPN
Confession- normally, I cannot stand the show Sports Nation. Really, it is Chris Cowherd. He is an idiot. He has an amazing bias towards the West Coast, and unfairly criticizes people who have done nothing wrong. One local example is that he said John Wall will never be an effective leader because he never knew his father. Right. Because Bill Clinton failed miserably based on his dad abandoning him. So, I hate Cowherd, and his show (with the attractive and entertaining Michelle Beadle) loses one viewer based just on him.
Nevertheless, the Sports Nation writers occasionally come up with some good columns or polls, and today's is proof. They take a look at some of the crazy prop bets that get associated with the Super Bowl. I know from experience that some folks are willing to bet on anything, including the over/under on the length of the National Anthem (sorry Pete, but Billy Joel was in the rain. Should have checked the weather report and assumed he would go faster. See below).
So I give you a link to SN's prop bets, and invite you to participate. I also give you the real prop bets, provided by BoDog, for the event/teams and individual players. Some of them are quite outlandish. Enjoy!
Nevertheless, the Sports Nation writers occasionally come up with some good columns or polls, and today's is proof. They take a look at some of the crazy prop bets that get associated with the Super Bowl. I know from experience that some folks are willing to bet on anything, including the over/under on the length of the National Anthem (sorry Pete, but Billy Joel was in the rain. Should have checked the weather report and assumed he would go faster. See below).
So I give you a link to SN's prop bets, and invite you to participate. I also give you the real prop bets, provided by BoDog, for the event/teams and individual players. Some of them are quite outlandish. Enjoy!
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